Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011)
Directed by David Bowers
Wimpy Greg Heffley, now in seventh grade, thinks he has it all together. He has mastered middle school and gotten rid of the Cheese Touch. However, Greg's older brother, Rodrick, is itching to cut him down to size. He gets the perfect opportunity when their mother tries to force the boys to bond. Rodrick may be Greg's chief tormentor, but he feels his constant pranks are just what his little brother needs to prepare him for life's hard knocks.
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What critics say influenced Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
This brightly lit film was shot by Jack N Green, a cinematographer noted for his mastery of chiaroscuro in such Clint Eastwood pictures as Unforgiven and Bird.
Last year's original was a surprise hit, turning Jeff Kinney's popular series of kids' books into a bouncy screen version that seemed born in wry memories filtered through fond reminiscences like those in "A Christmas Story" or "The Wonder Years."
This brightly lit film was shot by Jack N Green, a cinematographer noted for his mastery of chiaroscuro in such Clint Eastwood pictures as Unforgiven and Bird.
Indeed, Holly, the willowy blonde (Peyton List) for whom young Greg falls is a full foot taller than her admirer, and looks of an age to be hanging out with Rodrick -- or cruisin' in "American Graffiti"'s iconic white T-bird.
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Rodrick goes all Risky Business on them, locking his brother in the basement and throwing a raucous party fueled entirely by soft drinks.
As Greg's mom Susan, Rachael Harris (2009's " The Hangover ") gets more to do this time since the focus is on the family rather than at-school antics, though Steve Zahn (2009's " A Perfect Getaway ") still hasn't gotten his moment to shine as father Frank.
Making funny faces behind his assertive wife as she lectures the kids, mugging it up when stymied by the simplest matter, wagging his finger at his errant sons -- this moronic creature is the best that filmmakers can offer Christian Bale 's superb co-star in "Rescue Dawn," the stone-cold psycho in "A Perfect Getaway"?
Making funny faces behind his assertive wife as she lectures the kids, mugging it up when stymied by the simplest matter, wagging his finger at his errant sons -- this moronic creature is the best that filmmakers can offer Christian Bale 's superb co-star in "Rescue Dawn," the stone-cold psycho in "A Perfect Getaway"?
As Rodrick, Devon Bostick (2009's " Saw VI ") does what is asked of him, but tends to go overboard.
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As Greg's mom Susan, Rachael Harris (2009's " The Hangover ") gets more to do this time since the focus is on the family rather than at-school antics, though Steve Zahn (2009's " A Perfect Getaway ") still hasn't gotten his moment to shine as father Frank.
Rachael Harris ("The Hangover") and Steve Zahn are intentionally corny and irritating as Mom and Dad.
New to the series is Peyton List (2011's " 3 Backyards "), a sweet, unaffected presence as the subject of Greg's crush, the brilliantly-named Holly Hills.